10 Best Down Firing Subwoofers 2023 – Money Value List

Asubwoofer gives more body to songs by adding those lower frequencies of the spectrum that make all the difference.

But not only that. If you want to see a movie as God intended or hallucinate with the sound effects of your favorite video game, this gem specialized in projecting the lowest sounds is the part of the puzzle that your home stereo was missing. 

When it comes to home theater systems, a good home theater subwoofer will be the corner piece that will add a touch of salt and pepper to your blanket and movie sessions.

Yes indeed. There are so many options on the market that choosing a good subwoofer can be difficult. That is why we bring you this comparison with the best active subwoofers on the market.

In order not to confuse you, we have ordered the devices that we have chosen according to the budget of each one. 

But before getting into flour, as always, take a look at our recommendations and tricks so that you don’t get it with cheese when buying a subwoofer.

SVS SB-2000 Pro – Editor’s Choice

SVS has produced several excellent subwoofers over the years. The SB-2000 Pro is an upgrade from the 2000 series. This model is smaller and slightly lighter than the SB-3000. 

Its compact size allows you to hide it in the room and it has a minimalist design that blends well into any decor. It has a sleek black finish and a good build quality.

It is a 12-inch subwoofer that integrates the Sledge STA-550D class D amplifier. It produces 550W RMS  and 1500 of maximum power. 

On the rear panel we find the same inputs and controls as on the older brother. It features three buttons and a line of 11 LEDs that allow you to control volume, phase, and the LPF low-pass filter, among other functions. 

To the left of the lights it integrates the  RCA / LFE connections and also has a USB port to connect an optional wireless adapter.

It works with a frequency response of 19-240Hz and has the DSP of the award-winning Ultra-16 series. Another important positive point is the compatibility with the Subwfoofer DSP app. 

The application, available for iOS and Android devices, is intuitive and easy to use. It allows you to control volume, phase, polarity and LPF with great precision. It also has a three-band equalizer, adjustments to adjust the gain according to the room and other DSP functions.

Sound

De luxe. We have to emphasize that the quality of the bass offered by this 12 ”subwoofer is excellent. It features a great 550W RMS capable amplifier and a large 12 ”driver, so it works perfectly in very spacious rooms. 

We have tested it with different movies and music genres. No matter what you want to reproduce, the power, precision and depth of the bass are impressive.

It’s compact in size, but the bass output is remarkable. We tested it by watching John WIck 3 with a Home Cinema and it allowed us to enjoy all the effects that make a movie look real. The fights felt real and close.

The performance for watching movies is perfect, but you will also notice a big difference when listening to music. When listening to the latest Radiohead album we perceive all the dynamism and strength of the percussions and bass. Also the subtle details, like the reverbs. The precision is incredible.

Conclusion

SVS is a very recognized company in the world of HiFi audio and the SB-2000 Pro is one of their best products. The design of this 12 ”subwoofer is unique. It packs in an amazing amp and packs plenty of power for its size. 

The app integration offers various controls, such as equalization and sound profiles, which are really useful and satisfying. No other model on the market has these options. 

More importantly, the sound quality it offers is one of the best we’ve ever tested.  In its price range it is one of the best subwoofers you can get. Have you got long teeth? Find the  best prices on Amazon .

Klipsch SPL-120 SW – Solid and Active Subwoofer

The Klipsch SPL-120 is one of the best active subwoofers you can get for under a thousand euros. This new line offers higher performance than the famous Reference series and is available for a very fair price. 

It combines a 12 ”woofer with a large 300W RMS class D amplifier and an excellent design. It is attractive and compact enough that you can place it anywhere with ease.

Build quality is excellent. It comes in a sleek vinyl-finished MDF cabinet that looks like real wood. It has a front port design that minimizes noise and rubber feet that eliminate vibrations. 

The driver is built using an exclusive technology from the Klipsch house that uses ceramic and metal. This lightens the weight of the speaker considerably, but maintains strength. The Klipsch R-SPL-120 subwoofer can reproduce any sound at maximum levels without exhibiting any distortion.

The rear panel integrates the inputs and controls. Among these, it has a dual RCA / LFE input, a control to adjust the gain, and another for the crossover point. It also features a switch for phase and another for on / off. 

In addition, it includes a port to connect the Klipsch WA-2 wireless connection kit. If you buy this additional kit you can place the subwoofer anywhere in the room without having to worry about cables.

Sound

A lot of strength. The subwoofer amplifier that this device has is great. It has a capacity of 300 W RMS and 600 W of maximum power, more than enough power to fill medium / large rooms with sound. 

The amplifier, together with the 12-inch driver, produces a really powerful and high quality sound.

No matter what you play, the bass will feel clear and deep. The Klipsch SPL-120 allows you to experience LFE sound effects as realistically as possible. The performance of this 12 ”subwoofer when reproducing low frequency sounds is truly remarkable. 

The frequency response reaches 24HZ. It does not work with the widest range on the market, but when we tested it we observed perfect fidelity. We didn’t notice any kind of distortion, but we did feel the effects very strongly.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best sound quality in a sleek and compact subwoofer, we believe there is no better option than the 12 ”Klipsch SPL-120 subwoofer. This is a perfect model for bass lovers and for all those who want to enjoy movies with the greatest possible realism. 

The power and sound quality are outstanding for its size. If you pair it with Klipsch speakers you can get an excellent home cinema system that will last you for many years. To see the best prices from Amazon, follow the  link.

Sonos SUB Subwoofer – Solid and Stylish design

It’s hard to talk about wireless speakers  without mentioning the Sonos. Sonos multiroom systems are among the most popular on the market. They have attractive designs and sound great.

The Sonos Sub subwoofer is designed to work with them. This subwoofer speaker is available in black or white. It has a very elegant design with first-class finishes. 

The body is large and thin, and has an opening in the middle from which you can see the two 6-inch drivers that it integrates. It has a rubber base and can be placed both sideways and vertically. 

It has just one physical button that is used to connect the Sub to your wireless sound system. All controls are managed through the  Sonos app.

You can connect it to any Sonos system, but it is especially useful with  Sonos Play speakers ( If you need a smart speaker, the  Sonos One  is one of the best on the market).

Sound

The Sonos Sub greatly improves the sound quality of Sonos Play systems. We tested it with a pair of Play 3 and Play 5 speakers and noticed something that made us very horny. 

Not only did it add strength and depth to the bass, but the vocals were also more powerful. This may be because the Play 3, using it together with the subwoofer, concentrates better on the higher frequencies, with a much clearer and more pleasant result. 

Without the subwoofer, the Play 3 and Play 5 speakers lose volume and detail in the bass, and can also reinforce the presence of higher frequencies. 

When we connected the Sub, all frequencies were heard with fidelity and the vowels sounded much clearer. No matter what genre of music you play, the Sonos Sub provides high-quality bass.

Conclusion

If you are a fan of Sonos systems, and you think that your Play 3 or Play 5 are not providing you the bass punch they should, then the Sonos Sub is for you. 

This active subwoofer not only adds punch and depth to the bass, but also enables better sound quality at all frequencies.  

We think this is a little expensive, but if you have or plan to purchase Sonos multiroom systems, they are a good investment.

Polk HTS 10 Active Subwoofer – Powerful Bass

Polk Audio has been one of the most recognized brands of home theater systems for decades, and for good reason. They produce high-quality speakers and subwoofers at affordable prices. The HTS10 is one of their latest releases. It comes in a modern cabinet with rounded corners.

For our taste, it has the most attractive design among Polk subwoofers to date. Also, the cabinet is sturdy and can withstand shocks. It is available in black or brown. 

The finish looks elegant and blends well with any décor. However, it is a bit large, so you need to have the space to locate it. The build quality is excellent for its price. 

In terms of inputs, it has LFE and RCA connections. It also has a switch for automatic ignition, a very useful feature. The subwoofer turns on automatically when it receives a signal from your AV receiver.

It has controls to adjust the sound output to your personal taste. You can handle volume, phase correction and the low pass filter. The integrated woofer eliminates distortion at high volumes and also uses proprietary technology in the port to prevent noise while the subwoofer is in use.

Sound

It integrates a 10-inch front woofer and has a 100W RMS class D amplifier and 200W peak power. It is ideal for medium and small rooms. However, if you need a larger subwoofer we recommend opting for the 12-inch version. 

It works with a wide frequency response of 25-180Hz that allows you to optimally enjoy the effects of a movie when used with a home theater.

Produces very deep and powerful bass. The best: they stay clear and controlled at maximum volumes. It allows you to enjoy the low frequency effects without hurting the presence of the other tones. 

Sounds great for movies, music, and games. It’s a great option if you want a second subwoofer for an Atmos system or if you need a subwoofer speaker to enjoy the impact of bass on your favorite music.

Conclution

The HTS10 is one of the best and best looking subwoofers from Polk, a very reliable company. It has a modern design that looks good anywhere and offers clear, deep bass. 

It is perfect for small and medium rooms. It’s not Polk’s cheapest subwoofer, but its price is well justified by the power and controlled bass it offers.

Yamaha NS-SW300 – 10 inch woofer with square wire voice coil

The Yamaha NS-SW300 subwoofer has a very cool design. Its edges feature smooth curves and the black color gives it a sleek appearance. But beyond looks, the design is very effective and pragmatic. 

It has the technology called Twisted Flare Port, which refers to a proprietary design used only in Yamaha subwoofers that allows air to circulate more efficiently through the speaker. This produces clearer and more powerful bass. 

The front panel integrates a power button and a potentiometer for the volume. The location of the volume control is very successful, since in most subwoofers this control is located at the back, which can be somewhat uncomfortable if it is placed near a wall.

On the rear panel of this Yamaha subwoofer we find a standard RCA input and an LFE input. It also integrates a crossover control that allows you to set it between 40 and 140Hz. We recommend setting it to 80 Hz.

Sound

The performance of this subwoofer when reproducing bass is remarkable. We tested it by watching  Blade Runner: 2049 , and even in scenes with constant LFE effects, such as gunshots and explosions, the sound was very clear. 

In this section it beats any subwoofer in its price range. The frequency response is great: it goes from 20Hz to 160Hz. The effects of the lower frequencies are heard without any distortion. 

We have also noticed an excellent performance when it comes to playing any musical genre. Features a 10-inch (25 cm) driver producing smooth, natural bass. 

The Yamaha subwoofer outputs the amount of bass necessary for the sound to sound at the best possible quality. 

It provides a bass that does not overshadow the other frequencies but does bring its own depth. The built-in amplifier has an RMS capacity of 250 W.

It is the most powerful 10 ”subwoofer we have tested and can work perfectly in medium-sized rooms.

Conclusion

The Yamaha NS-SW300 is the best active subwoofer in its price range. The design is very attractive and the sound quality it provides is above the competition. It really is one of the best options to improve the quality of any home stereo. 

Klipsch R 120-Sw Active Subwoofer – Max acoustic output 116dB

The R-120SW is a 12 ”subwoofer that offers the sound quality to which the company has accustomed us. It has a 200 W RMS amplifier and integrates Klipsch’s excellent IMG woofer. 

It works with a frequency response of 29-120Hz, ideal for enjoying your favorite movies or songs with deep and rich bass.

It has a very attractive minimalist design and great build quality. The cabinet is made of reinforced MDF and a stylish, scratch-resistant vinyl cover. It looks very attractive and fits well in any room. Also Check, the best Tower Speakers that can be connected with these woofers.

The R-120SW subwoofer speaker integrates line and LFE inputs that allow you to connect it to any AV receiver or home theater system. 

It also offers controls for gain, phase and a crossover that allow you to adjust the bass to your personal taste.

Sound

This active subwoofer features a 12 ”(30 cm) IMG woofer that is ideal for medium-sized rooms. It is designed to deliver powerful bass and does the job perfectly. 

Low frequencies are what make you jump out of your seats and this is noticeable when using the R-120SW. The woofer is light and stiff. It can handle the bass with precision and no distortion. The amp delivers 200W RMS and 400W peak power and performs very well.

You can place it anywhere thanks to its size and front design, but it also features an extra rear port for clarity. It works with a frequency response that reaches 29Hz, so you can enjoy the deepest sound effects. 

When tested with various musical genres, we noticed a remarkable result in the bass, which is perceived clean and without any distortion. We also used it with various movies and could clearly hear all the effects of the LFE low frequency channel.

The digital amplifier in this subwoofer delivers power and fidelity – richly detailed bass and strong. The crossover together with the phase control help you create a perfect sound balance for any music or movie. 

Overall, the sound is great for the price and size: powerful, clear and vibrant. The performance is remarkable when used with a home theater.

Conclusion

In this price range it is difficult to find a better option. It’s a compact and powerful premium subwoofer speaker. The design is attractive, and it delivers powerful, clear bass. It also has a very good price. 

It is not the cheapest on the market, but it is available at a very attractive price. If you are looking for a durable subwoofer with excellent sound quality for your home theater, the Klipsch Reference R-120SW is ideal. 

ELAC Debut s10.2 – A Horizontal Brace Strengthens

This subwoofer is designed by the renowned Andrew Jones, known for creating attractively priced stereos and excellent audio quality. It offers 200W peak power, a 10-inch driver, and the famous Bash Tracking amplifier used by all ELAC models. 

It is presented in an MDF cabinet that integrates a horizontal reinforcement specially designed to avoid unwanted vibrations that can reduce the sound quality, and also provides greater stability.

The Elac Debut S10.2 subwoofer has a compact size and you can place it anywhere without problems. It has a   very useful automatic on/off system. Detects when an audio signal is sent to the amplifier and automatically turns on. 

It also turns off after a certain period of inactivity. In addition to control this subwoofer can through ELAC Sub app that lets you operate the controls via a smartphone.

Sound

The Elac Debut S10.2 offers good power for its size at 200 W peak and 100 W RMS. It is ideal for medium-small rooms and allows you to hear the bass frequencies, the foundation of any type of music, with a depth that normal speakers can never reach.

The 10-inch driver offers a lot of realism at low frequencies and has a frequency response of 28-150Hz and offers an adjustable crossover of 50-150Hz. 

The best thing about this subwoofer, like all the company’s models, is that it integrates a BASH Tracking amplifier that offers better performance than traditional amplifiers when playing movies with dynamic sounds and any type of music.

Conclusion

The ELAC Debut S10.2 is a compact and well-designed subwoofer. It offers high quality deep and strong bass, as well as good power for its size. It is a great option if you are looking to buy an affordable subwoofer for a medium or small room. 

Polk PSW10 Active Subwoofer – Solid and seductive design

PolkAudio is a company recognized for releasing quality products at affordable prices. The PSW10 is an excellent example. This subwoofer has a minimalist and attractive design. The cabinet is compact and made of MDF, with a black or cherry colored vinyl finish. 

The front panel has a metallic finish and comes with a white grille to protect the woofer. Beneath the removable grill we find the 10-inch woofer that works with a frequency response of 35-200Hz.

It has an amplifier that produces 50W RMS and 100W of maximum power. At the rear there are several controls: potentiometers for volume, low pass (80-160Hz), switches for ignition and phase (0 to 180 degrees).  

It’s ignition control has three positions: On, Auto and Off. In auto mode, the subwoofer turns on automatically when it gets a signal or when the volume is turned up.

The inputs and outputs are located at the rear. It has two RCA / line inputs and a pair of analog RCAs. It also features speaker inputs and outputs. It does not have an LFE input. However, this is not a problem if you connect it to any decent AV receiver.

Sound

The performance of this subwoofer is great for its price.  It does not distort, the bass sounds controlled and with good clarity. Most importantly, it is very affordable. Bass tones are deep, detailed, and perfect for monitoring. 

The power is sufficient for small and medium rooms, although it falls short for large rooms. If you need a subwoofer speaker for large spaces you need to look for another model.

We tested it by watching various movies, music, and games. We experience surround sound with detailed and clear bass, but not over the top. The performance is great for watching movies and listening to music in depth. 

It loses a bit of control on the lower effects, but it’s not very noticeable. It allows you to enjoy the explosion effects in games with natural sound without overshadowing the other frequencies. It’s an affordable, faithful subwoofer without a lot of power.

Conclusion

The Polk PSW10 Active Subwoofer is a great affordable piece of equipment that can boost the sound quality of your sound system. It doesn’t have a lot of power, but it works great in small to medium rooms. 

If you want to hear the effects of a movie as God intended, and you don’t want to spend a lot of money, this subwoofer is a good alternative.

Buying Guide

All subwoofers look the same. However, the quality of sound they provide can vary greatly depending on whether they are wired or wireless, large or small, and according to power. Take a look at our recommendations for buying subwoofers.

How to install a subwoofer and optimize its performance?

As a general rule, installing a subwoofer is easy. You just have to connect it to the designated port of your AV receiver and then to an electrical input. 

You will probably spend more time calibrating the speaker to optimize the sound. Next, we tell you to step by step what you have to do to start using a subwoofer:

Step 1. Connect the subwoofer using the LFE or RCA outputs

The preferred way to connect a subwoofer is through the AV receiver’s port called Sub Out, or Subwoofer. Most AV receivers have these types of ports designed for subwoofers. 

You should only connect your equipment via an LFE cable (a single cable with RCA connectors on both sides). 

If your AV receiver does not have a subwoofer output, or your receiver does not have an LFE input, you will have to connect it to the receiver’s Pre Out output using an RCA cable.

Step 2. Calibrate the speakers

After connecting the subwoofer to your AV receiver you must optimize the sound of your home theater. For this, it is best to use the automatic calibration systems provided by the best AV receivers on the market. These do a great job of tailoring the sound to suit your room. 

If your equipment does not have an automatic calibration system, you can also use a  sound level meter. We recommend you review our guide on how to install a home cinema to learn more about this point.

Step 3. Adjust the size of the speakers

Next, access the AV receiver’s settings menu and enter the speaker’s section. There you will find a size setting:  set the speakers to “small”, it doesn’t matter if you are using large speakers. This setting allows low frequencies to be filtered into the subwoofer, causing several good things to happen:

• The front speakers will focus on the mid and high frequencies.
  
• The receiver will be able to send more power at these frequencies.
  
• You avoid the risk of low frequencies damaging your speakers.
  

Step 4. Set the crossover for the subwoofer

By setting the speakers to “small”, the lower frequencies will be reproduced by the subwoofer. However, you can ensure that this happens by setting the crossover. 

The crossover,  or crossover point,  allows all frequencies below the crossover point to be sent to the subwoofer. 

You can set the crossover point on both the receiver and the subwoofer. We prefer to use the receivers. We recommend, for most equipment, setting the subwoofer crossover around 80HZ.

Step 5. Final adjustments

If after performing the above steps your subwoofer still sounds a little weird, it is likely “out of phase” with the other speakers. 

Most subwoofers come with a Phase control that allows you to select between two positions. Switch between the two to see which one you hear the best bass with. 

In addition to the  Phase, most subwoofers have separate controls for volume. This is handled to personal taste and you will probably have to adjust it to optimize the sound according to what you are going to reproduce.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking to add a little bass to your home theater setup, our top pick is the Polk Audio PSW505, fantastic sound quality, subtle design, and a reasonable price make it an excellent addition to just about any sound system.